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Gallery from Michigan State football’s final game of the Jonathan Smith era

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Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

Last month, Michigan State football ended their season against the Maryland Terrapins. This was the first in a series of lasts for Michigan State, as longtime players Sam Edwards, Alante Brown, Ryan Eckley, and a few others played in their last game. Additionally, this was the end of the Jonathan Smith era at Michigan State, as he was released from his contract less than 18 hours after the game went final.

Additionally, players such as Michael Masunas, Nick Marsh, Cooper Terpstra, and George Mullins all played their final game before announcing their intentions to hit the transfer portal.

The Spartans went out strong, on the pace of a 17-point halftime lead and a late Omari Kelly fourth down touchdown to seal the game. Alante Brown and Aveon Grose each had their own clutch plays, with Brown returning a kick for a touchdown and Grose sealing the game with an interception.

Spartan Shadows had photographer Nolan Gerou on hand to capture the magic, and here are some of his best shots capturing the game and atmosphere prior to, during, and after the contest at Ford Field.

If you would like to follow for more of Nolan’s work, check him out, @nolangerouphotography on Instagram.

  • Malik Washington prepares to the throw the ball against Michigan State football. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alessio Milivojevic throws the ball at Ford Field. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Jalil Farooq does Shedeur Sanders' "Watch" celebration. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • The Spartans celebrate Nick Marsh's touchdown against Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Rakeem Johnson (55), Alessio Milivojevic (11), and Rod Bullard Jr. (3) celebrate with Nick Marsh (6) after Marsh got a touchdown against Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Jordan Hall (5) guides the defense into position at Ford Field. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Maryland's mascot lies in despair after a Spartan touchdown. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Sparty ponders a call against Michigan State football. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alessio Milivojevic throws the ball in a clean pocket as Conner Moore (58) and Rustin Young (73) block for the quarterback. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Joshua Eaton celebrates during his final collegiate game at Ford Field. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Khalil Majeed drives a Terrapin to the turf. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alessio Milivojevic (11) leads a huddle. He is seen between Rustin Young (73, left) and Brandon Tullis (7, right). Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Omari Kelly catches a punt during Michigan State football's win over Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Malik Washington throws the ball against Michigan State. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Jack Velling lays out for his final collegiate touchdown. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Nick Marsh turns the corner against Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alessio Milivojevic prepares to take a snap from Cooper Terpstra against Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Mike Locksley prepares to lead the Terrapins out onto the field. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Joshua Eaton (7) and Darius Snow (23) run out of the runnel in their final games as a Spartan. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • George Mullins (37) runs out for his first game in his new number. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Sam Edwards (35), Alante Brown (0) and Gavin Broscious (74) prepare to run out onto the field during team introductions against Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alante Brown prepares for his final collegiate game at Michigan State. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Sparty leads the Michigan State Spartans out of the tunnel. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Maryland's Jalen Huskey poses for the camera before playing Michigan State. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Ryan Eckley warms up before his final collegiate game. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • The defensive line group huddles in prayer. Among the group are Grady Kelly (16), Jalen Satchell (93), Jalen Thompson (9), and Ben Nelson (75). Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Brandon Tullis bowls forward during Michigan State football's win over Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alante Brown, Michigan State football

    Alante Brown speaks to the media as Alessio Milivojevic looks on following the Spartans' 38-28 win over the Terrapins. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Jordan Hall speaks with the media following Michigan State football's win over Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Kekai Burnett greets family after Michigan State football's 38-28 win over Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Ryan Eckley embraces Sparty following his last career game for Michigan State football. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Ryan Eckley leads the Spartans in celebration. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alessio Milivojevic and Malik Washington talk post-game after both freshmen had outstanding performances. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Michigan State football

    The Spartans celebrate Omari Kelly's touchdown to put Michigan State up by 10 late against Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Aveon Grose raises his left arm during Michigan State football's win over Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alessio Milivojevic throws the football on the run during Michigan State football's win over Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Jonathan Smith and Mike Locksley embrace after the game. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Jonathan Smith walks off the field following Michigan State football's win over Maryland. Smith would be fired less than 24 hours after this photo was taken. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Michigan State's drumline has their final 2025 fourth quarter performance. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Aveon Grose. Michigan State football

    Aveon Grose speaks with the media following Michigan State football's victory. Grose had a game-sealing interception. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Sam Edwards scoops the ball off the edge of the sideline. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alessio Milivojevic prepares to throw the ball to Brandon Tullis in the flat. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • A look from behind as the seas part during Alante Brown's kickoff return touchdown. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alante Brown starts his run back of a kick return. Brown would run this ball back for a touchdown. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Maryland's Shaleak Knotts celebrates his touchdown as his lineman lifts him up. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Malik Washington of Maryland throws the ball as Grady Kelly (16) and Cam Williams (44) bear down on him. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Maryland's stash of game-prepared footballs for the indoor game at Ford Field. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Aydan West sits in his stance before a snap against Maryland at Ford Field. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Bryson Williams jogs out of the locker room at halftime. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Malcolm Bell jogs to the locker room for his last collegiate halftime speech. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Jonathan Smith fields a question from Tre Mosley at halftime of Michigan State's win over Maryland. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • A fan in the stands holds a sign talking about Orchard Lake St. Mary's "Fab Five," with the high school sending five players to MSU in their 2025 class. Nolan Gerou, Spartan Shadows

  • Alante Brown, Michigan State football
  • Michigan State football
  • Aveon Grose. Michigan State football
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Michigan State Media and Information Management Class of '22. Emmett covers primarily football, recruiting, and basketball for Spartan Shadows, alongside writing for Detroit Lions on SI. He has also written for Spartan Avenue, Basic Blues, and Hail WV.

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